Kendrick activated, keeps focus on field

PHILADELPHIA -- Howie Kendrick has a little more than one week to show contenders he is healthy and capable of helping them make the postseason.

The Phillies activated Kendrick, 34, from the 10-day disabled list before Friday night's 6-1 win over the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. He had been sidelined since June 28 with a strained left hamstring. The Phillies could opt to trade Kendrick before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline because he is a free agent after the season and it may make more sense to play the team's younger players -- players that could be part of the team's future -- for the remainder of the season.

PHILADELPHIA -- Howie Kendrick has a little more than one week to show contenders he is healthy and capable of helping them make the postseason.

The Phillies activated Kendrick, 34, from the 10-day disabled list before Friday night's 6-1 win over the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. He had been sidelined since June 28 with a strained left hamstring. The Phillies could opt to trade Kendrick before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline because he is a free agent after the season and it may make more sense to play the team's younger players -- players that could be part of the team's future -- for the remainder of the season.

"I'm not even really thinking about it," Kendrick said. "All I'm thinking about is playing baseball. Whatever trade is going to happen is going to happen. I can't control it, can't worry about it, all I can do is go out and play baseball."

After Kendrick played nine innings in his first and only rehab game Thursday with Double-A Reading, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin held him out of Friday's lineup because of general soreness, but Kendrick came on as a pinch-hitter in the the eighth inning and delivered a two-out single. It's safe to expect Kendrick to be in Saturday's lineup and play pretty much every game until the Deadline.

"We want to show that he is healthy," Mackanin said. "If there's interest out there, and I'd have to think there is, we want to make sure that he's healthy. I want to go slow with him. After tomorrow, if he's good, I am going to play him as much as he can."

Sources told MLB.com this week that Kendrick might not be traded until August, when players have to clear waivers, although a strong week could change that.

Kendrick is hitting .349 with two homers, 14 RBIs and an .879 OPS in 139 plate appearances. He can play the infield and outfield, but the Phillies are not expecting a serious haul for him because he is a two-month rental that has been on the DL twice this season.

Kendrick will play primarily left field, especially while Aaron Altherr is on the DL with a strained right hamstring. Altherr could be activated as early as Tuesday.

"I'd like to keep him in the outfield," Mackanin said. "With Cesar Hernandez just coming back, there's really no room in the infield, but I can get him enough playing time."

The Phillies optioned Brock Stassi to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for Kendrick on the 25-man roster.